Milan, June 23 (LaPresse) – At the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, the handover took place between outgoing President Thomas Bach and new President Kirsty Coventry. As seen in a video on social media, Bach expressed full confidence in the future of the Olympic Movement under Coventry’s leadership, describing the transition as “smooth, respectful, and forward-looking” and stating: “With Kirsty Coventry, the Olympic Movement will be in excellent hands.”
Bach then thanked the IOC members for the honor of being named Honorary Life President. Expressing his appreciation for the entire Olympic community—athletes, National Olympic Committees, International Federations, TOP Partners, media rights holders, and staff—for their commitment to the common Olympic path, Bach observed: “In this spirit of gratitude, confidence, and joy, I hand over the keys of the Olympic House to Mrs. Kirsty Coventry, the tenth President of the International Olympic Committee,” he said.
“We have seen what unity can achieve… Today is a day of confidence, confidence in our bright future… Today is a day of joy: the joy of passing the baton to a new generation,” he added.
“Now it is her turn to write history: Mrs. Kirsty Coventry. With her election, you have also sent a strong message to the world: the IOC continues to evolve,” Bach concluded.
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